Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Diabetes Speak IRL: Soda Talk & Real People Sick

I find myself using DiabetesSpeak in conversations with non PWDs/type 3's all the time.I don't even think about it, the words just flow out of my mouth because Diabetes Speak has become my native dialect/vernacular. and yours too. Then I have explain what the heck I'm saying in D Speak and people learn something - Or they think I'm weird. But mostly they learn something about D because they already know I'm odd, but in a good way!####So I was at my friend’s house a few weeks back and somehow we started talking about soda. My one friend drinks copious amounts of soda - like he’s addicted to soda. I used to be addicted to diet soda - I drank it for decades, but I don't drink it anymore - haven't since I was senior in college - FOR THE MOST PART.Anyway, I was like: I used to LOVE Diet Pepsi and Fresca and Diet Pineapple Fanta - Don’t even get me started on Frank’s Diet Wishniak Black Cherry Soda ( they stopped producing it in 2009ish, RIP my wonderful and tasty old friend,) but yeah, I don’t drink soda any more - I’m an water/iced tea gal. BUT, every once in a while (and only when the temps get above 100 degrees,) I might buy a Stewart’s Diet Root-Beer in the brown glass bottle and chill it until it’s almost frozen - And then I drink the whole bottle in two minutes, flat. The first one is great, but the second one makes me stomach hurt and I feel gross. Friend/Soda Addict:That’s nuts, Kel! I can’t stop drinking it! Me: It was hard to give it up, but I don’t miss it anymore (except for the Franks Diet Black Cherry Wishniak,) I drink boatloads of water and when I feel like I need some bubbles I drink seltzer water (a.k.a., club soda/soda water) Black Cherry Seltzer’s my favorite. The only time I want/need to drink a soda is when I’m real people sick and can't stomach anything else.And then my Friend/Soda Addict was like: Real people sick? Me:Yeah, real people sick. You know like down for the count because of the flu or a nasty stomach virus. Not related to diabetes or blood sugar issues, just normal old human, real people sick. See official definition, HERE.Thanks Kerri!I always keep a few bottles of ginger-ale on hand just in case I get the flu or a nasty stomach bug - and NO to both this year, PLEASE & THANKS TO THE FLU/STOMACH BUG GODS IN ADVANCE. I just feel really safe having ginger ale in my house at all times. I live alone and having it on hand means I don’t have to schlep out and buy some ginger ale when I’m hacking up a lung or laying on the couch next to barf bucket.Friend/Soda Addict:Wow, I never thought about the whole ‘real people sick,’ thing before, but now I won’t forget it. Kel, if you do get ‘real people sick,” (and I really hope you don't,) just call us and G or I will schlep out and buy you some ginger ale - And some matzo ball soup, too. Anything you need - just let us know. Me: Thanks my friend, that's great to know - and I really appreciate that. Also: You're such a mensch! #####And now I thought I'd share a moment of my childhood/adolescence that has been been burned into my brain forever!Earworm courtesy of Patti Smith & Co - "Is it Frank's? THANKS."

Lauren's Hope

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What People Are Saying About Kelly Kunik's Diabetesalicious Humor

"I laughed so hard I puked all over my pump -Just kidding......

Kelly's intimate knowledge of living with diabetes makes her the perfect person to poke fun at all of our little eccentricities. If laughter really is the best medicine, then Kelly should be nominated for Sturgeon General."Gary Scheiner - Certified Diabetes Educator, Owner & Operator of Integrated Diabetes Services, Author of "You Can Control Diabetes" and "How to Think Like A Pancreas."Marx Brothers Fan for life, T1 for 20 years .

"Kelly Kunik performed her Diabetes Comedy Act at the Diabetes, Exercise, & Sports Association (DESA) National meeting in Colorado Springs in June of 2007. She had the room laughing all night! It was great to see the light side of Diabetes for once...."

Rick Philbin, Type 1, Board of Directors, DESA

"Kelly was very engaging with her humor and positive attitude in looking at life with Diabetes on a lighter side. Everyone in my Diabetes Support group lowered their glucose levels with laughter that evening!"

Bryony Crane, RD CDE

Virtua Diabetes and Nutrition Svs

"Dr. Kelly keeps you laughing.......Great bedside manner!"

Boston Charlie - T1 30 years

"As a Diabetes Educator, I'm always looking for new ways to help patients. Kelly Kunik offers a unique way of educating patients through laughter.There's a tremendous validation in Kelly's approach - Everybody thinks that no one once else has diabetes related issues, day & day out. Whether it getting your tubing caught on a door nob; acting out with a low blood sugar, or dealing with the same old questions. Silly or serious, Kelly's observations allow patients to feel better about themselves.When people feel good about themselves, they practice betterself management. IT'S ALL GOOD.We all had so much fun the night Kelly spoke to my Type 1 support group."